Kinderhook Reformed Church Worship Service
Route 9 & Church Street, Kinderhook, NY
10:00 a.m. February 26, 2012
“To Know Christ and to Make Him Known”

Rev. Rudy Visser, Pastor

A WARM WELCOME TO VISITORS
You are invited to sign our Guest Book at the church entrance and to fill out a pew card and place it in the offering plate. We would like to get to know you better, and we invite you to enjoy fellowship and refreshments with us at Coffee Hour downstairs in the Fellowship Room following today’s Worship Service.

CALL TO WORSHIP (Responsive) Based on Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
and give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
*HYMN OF PRAISE #17 Praise the Lord! O Heavens, Adore Him
INVOCATION
CALL TO CONFESSION Based on Psalm 53
Our God of abundant love, grace, and mercy looks down from heaven to see if there are any who understand that they are sinful, to see if there are any who seek his face and forgiveness. Let us not turn away, but let us turn toward him, call upon his name, and confess our sins.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison) Based on Psalm 106
O Lord, we have put you to the test; we have not believed your promises or remembered your many miracles and kindnesses.
Holy God, we have rebelled against you, and have turned to other sources to sustain us. Instead of putting our faith in you, we have made gods of our own inadequate abilities, possessions, and resources. Instead of seeking after your righteousness, we have done as we pleased and willfully pursued fulfillment of our own desires. We have provoked you with our proud attitudes and self-centered deeds; and we have wasted away in our sin.
[Silent Prayer of Confession]
Save us, O Lord our God.
Renew us with the righteousness of your Son, Jesus Christ;
humble and sanctify us for service to you
through the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen

ASSURANCE OF PARDON Based on Psalm 66:16-20
Come and listen, all you who fear God; this is what he has done for you: You cried out to him with your mouths; his praise was on your tongues. If you had cherished sin in your hearts, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely heard your confessions and listened to your voices in prayer.
Praise be to God, who has not rejected our prayers
or withheld his love and forgiveness from us!
PRAISE SONG Great Is the Lord, You Are There
CHILDREN’S PRAYER BLESSING (Unison)
Heavenly Father, bless our children with wisdom. Give them a constant hunger for more, and fill them with the knowledge of your Word and your will. Grant them a life-giving reverence for you, for that is where wisdom begins.

We Come Before God’s Open Word
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION Based on the song, Open the Eyes of My Heart
(Unison) Faithful God, open the eyes of our hearts. We want to see you high and lifted up, shining in the light of your glory. Holy God, we want to know you. Pour out your power and love, and open the eyes of our hearts. Amen
SCRIPTURE LESSON Genesis 9:8-17 (p. 6)
MESSAGE “Dressed with God's Perpetual Promise!”
PRAYER OF BLESSING

Celebrating God
WE GIVE OUR TITHES and OFFERINGS/OFFERTORY
*DOXOLOGY and PRAYER (Unison)
Holy God, we offer these gifts to be used to preach the truth of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ; to proclaim your promise of renewal of mind, body, and spirit; and to make known the blessings of your love, reassurance, and faithfulness to those who are in need. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING THE FAMILY OF GOD
PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER
*HYMN #306 Standing on the Promises
*BENEDICTION BLESSING & RESPONSE –
My Friends, May You Grow in Grace
My friends, may you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
My friends, may you grow in grace, and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
To God be the glory, now and forever, now and forever, amen. (2x)
POSTLUDE

Next Sunday is Communion Sunday, which has been designated for the presentation of gifts, over and above regular giving, to the Benevolent Fund. Please support this important ministry which provides assistance to needy church family & community members.

Today, there will be a Congregational meeting in the church sanctuary immediately following morning worship. The Stewardship Ministry will report on the financial status of the church and present a preliminary budget for 2012. There will be an opportunity for questions and comments from members of the congregation. The Stewardship Ministry will take this discussion into consideration and then make its final recommendation for a budget for 2012 to the Consistory, whose members will be responsible to vote on the proposal. A handout that will be used today is available on the table at the back of the sanctuary.

FRIDAYS AT 9:30 AM IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL, please join Dawn Tuttle, Jane Deane, and Joy Bertram for crafts we will be making for the KRC fair/bazaar which will take place November 3.

KRC SMALL GROUPS
KRC’s small groups, offered on Thursdays at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., will resume this Thursday led by Pastor Rudy. All are invited to join one of these groups, and walk-ins are always welcome! Jean Hacker will be leading a Stonecroft study, “Why Believe?”, Sundays following Worship.

The KRC Family will once again join forces to cook the free supper planned for this coming Tuesday, February 28, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, Valatie. Anyone willing to lend a hand to this ministry (cooking, serving, cleaning up), please contact Pastor Rudy.

Kinderhook Reformed Church has launched its Tricentennial Celebration! The 300th Anniversary Banner is now on display, and a photograph will be taken of the congregation in front of the church under the banner in the spring. AT LEAST ONE 300th BIRTHDAY EVENT IS BEING PLANNED FOR EACH MONTH OF 2012, AND EVERYONE’S HELP IS VERY MUCH NEEDED. WE ASK THAT YOU PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER HOW YOU MIGHT PARTICIPATE IN THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR MINISTRY TO OUR CONGREGATION AND COMMUNITY. Please pray that God will continue to bless our church family as we move forward into our year-long celebration, and that each activity carried out will further our mission to know Christ and make Him known. Contact Laura Rafferty, (518) 653-3994, with offers to assist in this ministry.

MANY THANKS AND BLESSINGS TO THE KRC FAMILY FOR THEIR GENEROSITY IN SUPPORT OF THE VALATIE FOOD PANTRY. The Pantry served 95 families in January, including 156 adults and 107 children. The Pantry is heavily over-stocked on spaghetti at this time, but other non-perishable foods that are always popular are evaporated milk; coffee; sugar; boxed cereals; pancake mix; syrup; jelly; canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; spaghetti sauce; mac & cheese; dinner helpers; apple sauce; juice; cake & brownie mixes. Donations may be placed in the collection containers available in the entryways of the church.

Jayne Ferguson, Angie Hickman, Ashlee Olsen,
and John Schubert

BE SURE TO PICK UP FROM THE BACK TABLE A COPY OF LIBBY LITTLE’S SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT SCHEDULE , JANUARY THROUGH JULY 10, 2012, AND USE IT AS A GUIDE FOR REMEMBERING LIBBY IN PRAYER AS SHE CARRIES OUT A VERY STRENUOUS AND DEMANDING ITINERARY.

With the exception of the Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies, KRC will no longer be handling the ordering, delivery, and placement of flowers for the pulpit area. However, we invite anyone who wishes to do so to purchase fresh flowers on their own and place them on the platform pedestals. Vases are available for this purpose if needed. A sheet may be found on the back table in the sanctuary for signing up to bring flowers and for noting memorials and celebrations for which they are being given. As before, donors’ names and memorial notes will still be published in the Sunday bulletins

Anyone not already on our email prayer chain who is interested in receiving daily Lenten devotions through email,
please contact Paul or the church office.

Remember to Pray for
• those who do not know Christ, have turned their back on God, or are struggling in their faith.
• KRC’s Consistory members and administrative ministries.
• KRC programs & projects and those implementing and administering them: Natural Church Development; church restoration; KRC’s 300th birthday events.
• leaders & those attending KRC’s Sunday School, Youth Group, new small group ministries, adult Bible study, Community Prayer Group, and New Members’ Class.
• our state and national leaders, that God will grant them the leadership skills, wisdom, and the personal protection needed to govern effectively and safely.
• our missionaries: Dave and Char Alexander, Perry Jones and Capital City Rescue Mission, Alex and Fran Knauss, Maureen Menard, Dick and Carolyn Otterness, Brian and Bea Post, Seth and Melissa Rogati, Betty Ann Stedwell.
• our children sponsored through Compassion or other agencies.
• Judy Iocco, battling leukemia, and recovering from a recent bone marrow
transplant.
• Jean Keegan, recovering at home following a recent stroke.
• Irene Smith, sister of Virginia Rothermel and sister-in-law of Jane Smith, in Whittier nursing home with cardiac issues as doctors attempt to adjust her medications.
• one of our Ichabod Crane families asking for continued prayer for their miracle baby girl, Brooklyn Faith Meyer. She is one pound six ounces in NICU at Albany Med
• Ruth F. and Ruth C., both of whom need prayers for medical issues with which they are dealing
• complete healing for Baby Grace, Jane Deane’s granddaughter, recovering at home from a viral lung infection as well as an ear infection. Praise God, Grace is beginning to improve - tests show no pneumonia and infections are responding to medication.
• Terry (Gaylord) Nawrot, Lori Kolb-Speer’s niece. Terry is a very high-risk pregnancy, but praise God, so far so good. She is due in July, and as of her last Dr.’s visit, she and the twins are doing wonderfully.
• those, especially children, victimized by famine, drought, and other natural disasters; abuses of war and violence; exploitation; neglect; and family hostility.
• families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, especially: Sally Heimroth grieving the recent loss of her sister, Mary Anne Snyder; remember also Mary Ann's husband, Bill, and children at this time of sudden loss; Nancy Call, family, and friends grieving the death of Nancy’s father; Loris Clark, family, and friends grieving the death of Loris’s daughter, LaRee Devine.
• those dealing with cancer: Stephanie; Ron Jensen; Patricia’s mother; Shelly LoPiccolo; Donna Scalera; Emese; Joann Marvin; Rick; Matt; Tom Saulpaugh.
• those awaiting test results or surgery; recovering from surgery, injury, or illness; chronically ill; or in hospice care: Jan Herrmann; Mary Ann; Ryan; Joan Clause; Florence Rivera; Gordie Van Buren; Sue Jones; Ron Stockhoff; Ken Smith; Kathy Schneider’s father and Charles March, Sr. in Barnwell; Paul Varga.
• those facing challenges, conflicts, difficult decisions: the Schuberts, as they attempt to sell John’s mother’s home in Troy; Clayton, as he selects a college; Louise; Libby Little, facing a demanding schedule; those struggling with unnamed issues; caregivers of children with health/developmental issues; those with employment or other economic troubles; those suffering discouragement, depression, despair, or other mental health issues; those struggling with dependencies/substance abuse; those dealing with family relationships; young people challenged by the demands of schooling, looking for jobs, dealing with many temptations confronting young adults.
• God’s blessing on those recently engaged/married, expecting babies, new/first-time parents: Brad & Kelly Babic (Baby Taylor Marie), the Principis (Baby Gianna Drew),
• those caring for the elderly, displaced, disabled, or ill, especially Diane Morgan.
• our residence-bound members: Murray Leonardson and Mike Rivera.
• our military men and women, especially Courtney Hemmert; Will Ryan; Matt Plescia; and Spencer Moore - that they may know God’s presence and protection.
• families and friends of our military troops, and victims of warfare & violence worldwide, that they may be blessed with God’s peace and reassurance.
• the power of the peace & love of Christ to subdue everywhere the spirits of hatred, hostility, unforgiveness, cruelty, vengeance, and warfare.

Remember To Thank & Praise God for
• all who serve KRC Ministries by meeting regularly, setting goals, preparing recommendations, & working together to complete projects and responsibilities.
• Pastor Rudy Visser, a Spirit-filled preacher of the Word and leader of vision.
• the blessing of family and friends.
• the wonderful ways God shows his love to us, especially during difficult times.
•
• those men and women who have served or are now serving our country, & those who have sacrificed their well-being and lives for the peace & liberties we enjoy.
• Ron and Kathy Binder, Wycliffe missionaries working in Panama who were
attacked and robbed recently by local gangsters. They are doing much better
now, and the prognosis is very positive for a full recovery for Luciano, their Wounaan friend, who was stabbed repeatedly trying to protect the Binders. Your prayers have been and still are very much appreciated.
• Richard Williams who has recovered nicely.
• Patricia Taliaferro, who is recovering well following a recent cardiac procedure
• Baby Grace Anderson, grandchild of Jane Deane, who has been battling a viral lung infection as well as an ear infection, is showing improvement. Tests have determined that there is no pneumonia, the viral lung infection is breaking up, and her temperature from this and the ear infection is dropping. Please continue your prayers for complete healing for Grace, who is recovering at home.

KRC’s share of support will be $6,456 in 2012 for services and resources to be provided for us by the Reformed Church in America at the local, regional, and national levels. EACH MEMBER’S SHARE OF CLASSIS ASSESSMENT FOR 2012 HAS BEEN SET AT $81.72, UP ONLY 87¢ FROM LAST YEAR! THIS AVERAGES OUT TO JUST $1.57 PER WEEK PER MEMBER. All who are able to do so are encouraged to offer, over and above their regular giving, their share of this support. The full share does not have to be given at one time, but may be given in as many increments as are convenient throughout the year. All contributions made for this purpose should be clearly designated, “Classis Assessment.” MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO DONATED over $4,000 THIS PAST YEAR TO HELP DEFRAY THIS ONGOING EXPENSE.

COMING SOON TO KRC

“Heartsong”, Singers for Christ

Join us Sunday, March 25, at 4 PM for a country gospel concert featuring “Heartsong”. Going into their second decade, Heartsong singers for Christ has been sharing their love for their Heavenly Father through song to the body of Christ. Over 1000 churches large and small, of various denominations have personally experienced their compelling presentation of the gospel through exhortation. They are unique and energetic with a fresh progressive country sound peppered with contemporary. They have been able to blur the edges of country, southern gospel, and contemporary into a blend that is unmistakably Heartsong music. This distinct trio can take their harmonies and fashion innovative concepts and retool old traditional hymns as well. Heartsong’s territory has expanded from the northeast region to national notoriety. You can find them on TBN, The Praise the Lord Show, and other national TV and radio programs. They come as an excellent team of encouragement for any audience blessed to receive them!

Regular reports are needed on the progress or condition of all individuals on our prayer and praise lists. If you have updated information, especially regarding individuals whose names appear in bold print, please call the church office.

Sun., February 26
10:00 am Worship and Sunday School
11:00 am Congregational Meeting in church sanctuary
Adult Sunday School, and a Stonecroft study, “Why Believe?”
will meet following the Congregational Meeting
Tues., February 28 – KRC family cooks free supper at St. Luke’s
Thur., March 1
9:00 am Small Group meets @KRC, “The Path to the Cross”
10:00 am Community Prayer Group meets @KRC
7:00 pm Small Group meets, “The Path to the Cross”
Fri., March 2
9:30 am Craft making for November Fair/Bazaar in Fellowship hall
Sun., March 4
10:00 am Communion Sunday and Sunday School
11:15 am Adult Sunday School meets, main floor conference room
Stonecroft study group meets in main floor classroom
Mon., March 12
7:00 pm Consistory meeting
Sun., March 25 -- “Heartsong” Country Gospel Concert
4 pm at KRC
Going into their second decade, Heartsong singers for Christ has been sharing their love for their Heavenly Father through song to the body of Christ. Over 1000 churches of various denominations, large and small, have personally experienced their compelling presentation of the gospel through exhortation. They are unique and energetic with a fresh progressive country sound peppered with contemporary. They have been able to blur the edges of country, southern gospel, and contemporary into a blend that is unmistakably Heartsong music. This distinct trio can take their harmonies and fashion innovative concepts and retool old traditional hymns as well. Heartsong’s territory has expanded from the northeast region to national notoriety. You can find them on TBN, The Praise the Lord Show, and other national TV and radio programs. They come as an excellent team of encouragement for any audience blessed to receive them!